Hi, I'm Arnold "Bloodhound" Guzman, an avid trail angel. I became connected to the A.T. through my sister, Maria, who owns Standing Bear Farms Hiker Hostel. I like taking my Bloodhounds, Caroline and Beau Diddley, adventuring deep into the backcountry shelters all up and down the A.T, where I surprise hikers with fresh food and drink while looking for stories. When I'm not doing this, I sometimes join my local Smoky Mountains Hiking Club and do trail maintenance.
Posts
Trail Angel Spotlight: Red Hat
For many hikers who are nearing the northeastern boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, not only might you be stalked by bears along the
The Crawfords: A Family of 8 Takes on the Appalachian Trail
It's not often you meet such a large family hiking the Appalachian Trail. This is the story of the Crawfords, a family of 8 attempting a NOBO thru hike of the Appalachian Trail
87-Year-Old “Pappy” Attempting to Become the Oldest Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker
In 2017, the Trek's Maggie Slepian wrote a memorable piece entitled, "Age is Just a Number..." , about an 82 year old nobo thru hiker, Greybeard, who set the record for the oldest person to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. Well, if age IS just a number, Victor "Pappy" Kubilius has just raised that number.
Hike Faster, I Hear Banjos: Misconceptions about the Southern Appalachians
Every year, people from all walks of life, some from different colors and nationalities, pass through a greatly misunderstood place--the Southern Appalachians--where TV and movies would have you believe the people there are nothing but a bunch of dumb, uneducated racists, who are a danger to outsiders. Nothing could be further from the truth
Faces of Hot Springs: Chief of Police, Officer David Shelton
When you emerge from the freedom of the wilderness and step out onto the streets of Hot Springs, NC, you'll soon find yourself back in civilization, a place with laws designed for the good of all. And Officer Shelton is there to enforce such laws and see to it that all people, citizens and visitors alike obey said laws and live in harmony with one another (insomuch as it is possible).
Faces of Hot Springs: Mayor Sidney Harrison
To get insight into the Faces of Hot Springs, it's sometimes best to start at the top. This interview with Sidney Harrison, mayor, was the perfect way to find out how thru-hikers are viewed from a local official's standpoint.
Faces of Hot Springs: Introduction to Hot Springs, NC.
Hot Springs North Carolina is the first true trail town the Appalachian Trail northbound through hikers encounter. This is the story of the many people, or 'Faces' of Hot Springs; who they are and what they think about hikers
The Blackalachian: First Gold-Mouth Rapper to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail
In April of 2017, Daniel White, age 31, of Charlotte NC, trail name "The Blackalachian" , was dropped off at Amicalola Falls State Park to embark on a two month section hike that would inevitably turn into a complete through hike of the Appalachian Trail, where he would become "The first gold-mouth rapper to through hike the Appalachian Trail"
(Mis) Adventures of a Trail Angel in Maine’s Mahoosuc Range
For many northbound through hikers, Maine is like the magical kingdom of their dreams, and that by reaching it, they will somehow be translated into a promised land, flowing with milk and honey. As I was soon to learn, hardly anything could be further from the truth.
Meet The Hostel: Angel’s Rest Hiker Haven, Pearisburg VA
In September or 2016, Doc Peppa, and her spouse, Bam-Bam, opened a hostel at the base of the mountain locals call, "Angels Rest", with the fitting name, "Angels Rest Hiker's Haven". This is the story of how it came to be.